RDASI Newsletter - March 2021
A message from the CEO
Welcome to our newsletter. The holidays are well and truly a distant memory, with things really ramping up at RDASI. There is certainly renewed optimism in our region and it’s fantastic to be able to return to some normality in 2021.
Finally, I’ve been able to attend a number of larger face to face events and it’s been great to see some local agricultural shows able to go ahead too.
On Monday, we celebrated International Women’s Day in Bungendore at Le Tres Bon. We hosted a panel discussion with five incredible women, including Kristy McBain MP, followed by a delicious French inspired lunch. The theme for the day was #choosetochallenge, and we had some useful discussion about gender roles and parity, with all agreeing that change starts in the home. You can read more about the event below.
Late February I attended the Inland Growth Summit in Dubbo. More jobs than people was the theme of the event and considered discussions took place to look at out of the box initiatives to enhance regionalisation. Organised by RDA Orana, the forum focused on the important need for more residents to shift into the region to maintain workforce quotas and increase expansion opportunities for regional businesses. On that note, we have opened the Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491). This visa is open for skilled workers wanting to live and work in a regional area. Please visit our website here to find out more.
Finally, applications are open to join our Committee. We are seeking committed, passionate and well-connected people for a term of 4 years who live in our region. The roles are voluntary and require attendance at meetings approximately 4 times per year.
Celebrating International Women's Day
To celebrate International Women’s Day and this year’s theme, #choosetochallenge, RDA Southern Inland hosted a lunch and panel discussion in Bungendore.
The event was held at local French restaurant, Le Tres Bon. Prior to lunch, a dynamic panel discussion was hosted by RDA Southern Inland CEO, Carisa Wells, consisting of five impressive regional leaders; Kristy McBain MP, member for Eden-Monaro, Sarah McDougall, Lake George Winery, Suzanne Gearing, Braidwood Chamber, Rowena Abbey, RDASI Chair, and Jacquelyn Richards, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC). Read about the event here.
Why Leave Town
We have collaborated with Goulburn Mulwaree Council and the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce to deliver a new initiative designed to boost the local economy and encourage local shopping via an innovative new Goulburn gift card.
The cards called, Shop 2580 gift cards, will be rolled out in the coming months, with businesses being encouraged to register their interest now for the program. Shop 2580 gift cards will be able to be purchased at a number of stores in the City.
Amounts from $10 to $1,000 can be loaded on to the card and that money can then be spent at EFTPOS terminals at 90 stores in the City, with this number to be expanded if demand from businesses is high.
Discovering Resilience Webinar
Recently, RDA Southern Inland partnered with Coordinare to deliver the free webinar, ‘Discovering Resilience’ with Hugh van Cuylenburg. You can watch the recording here.
2021 Regions Rising National Summit
National Summit, Growing Regional Australia - Shaping the Good Life - is the flagship event in the Regional Australia Institute's event series - Regions Rising. This event links all levels of government, business and the community sector to ensure a collaborative and future-focused discussion on regionalisation.
Regional Connect
We are delighted that Regional Connect is launching in Yass next Tuesday 16th March at The Royal Hotel.
Southern Highlands Connect will also relaunch for 2021 on the 13th April, keep an eye on our socials for more details.
Goulburn and Jindabyne Connect continue to run on a monthly basis.
